Ornstein CONFIRMS Arsenal and Liverpool are DESPERATE to sign Isak

Tom Weber

Updated: 12 Mar 2025 11:33 CDT
4 min read

Alexander Isak, Arne Slot, Liverpool, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal — © IMAGO

David Ornstein has confirmed that Alexander Isak sits at the top of the summer shortlists of Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Swedish striker has been nothing short of a revelation for Newcastle since joining the club in 2022. Isak has been scoring prolifically for the Magpies and established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting players.

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The 25-year-old has netted 22 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions so far this season while also providing five assists. These numbers have made him English football's most-desired commodity.

It is no secret that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer of the Newcastle man. The Spaniard is said to be infatuated with Isak and his playing style and would love to bring him to the Emirates.

Similarly, Liverpool are keen on the Swede and FootballTransfers previously revealed that they are his most realistic summer destination if he were to move. However, Newcastle want to keep him and are actively trying to extend his contract.

Ornstein confirms Isak interest

Transfer insider David Ornstein of The Athletic has now confirmed that Isak tops the summer shopping lists of Arsenal and Liverpool, but also made it clear that a move seems unlikely as things stand.

"The first thing I'd like to point out is Newcastle have no intention of selling Isak," Ornstein told NBC. "They've got him under contract until 2028, they pay him very handsomely and, if anything, they want to renew his deal and build with him for the future, not without him.

"However, what he's doing on the pitch is attracting interest from elsewhere. Mikel Arteta, for example, would love to sign him for Arsenal. He's at the top of their list if they are going to recruit a striker this summer, which they intend to.

"They have other options as well that they may have to turn to if this proves impossible. A club like Liverpool is interested in him if Newcastle genuinely would listen to offers for him. We just don't know that yet because it's not on their agenda.

"The talk around the industry is of a figure in the region of £150 million even to discuss it with Newcastle, but that's all hypothetical at this point. It's a situation we're going to have to watch very closely.

"It may have an impact depending on whether Newcastle qualify for the Champions League next season or not because we regard Isak as a Champions League-level player. So that will be an interesting factor and makes these finals weeks and months of the season critically important."